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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Brock Turner has left jail with a parting gift of sorts -- a large packet of hate mail, given to him today by authorities in California's Santa Clara County.
Turner is the former Stanford University swimmer who was sentenced to six months behind bars for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman at the school. He was released today after serving just half his term -- which is typical for California inmates with good behavior.
The outrage over a sentence that was seen as too lenient prompted California lawmakers to pass a tougher sexual assault law.
Turner didn't acknowledge the reporters who were gathered for his release. He plans to live with his parents in Ohio.
Sheriff Laurie Smith says Turner was held in "protective custody" during his incarceration, but that her department didn't receive any credible threats. She adds, "There was a lot of hate."
Following the backlash over the sentence and a push for his recall, the judge in the case voluntarily removed himself from hearing criminal cases, starting next week.
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145-r-20-(Sound of members of the media and public, as Brock Turner was released from jail)--This is sound of members of the media and the public as former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner was released from jail, without speaking, was driven aaway after serving half of his six-month sentence for sexual assault. (2 Sep 2016)
<<CUT *145 (09/02/16)££ 00:20
147-a-10-(Sheriff Laurie Smith, Santa Clara County, with reporters outside the jail)-"to sign it"-Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, speaking with reporters immediately after Brock Turner's release, says she wants California Governor Jerry Brown to sign into law a bill that makes a prison sentence mandatory for the crime committed by the former Stanford swimmer. (2 Sep 2016)
<<CUT *147 (09/02/16)££ 00:10 "to sign it"
146-a-07-(Sheriff Laurie Smith, Santa Clara County, with reporters outside the jail)-"in our custody"-Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, speaking with reporters immediately after Brock Turner's release, says she believes the former Stanford swimmer still belongs behind bars -- in prison and not a jail -- for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman. (2 Sep 2016)
<<CUT *146 (09/02/16)££ 00:07 "in our custody"
APPHOTO CAJOS203: Brock Turner leaves the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016. Turner, whose six-month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman at Stanford University sparked national outcry, was released from jail after serving half his term. (Dan Honda/Bay Area News Group via AP) (2 Sep 2016)
<<APPHOTO CAJOS203 (09/02/16)££
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